Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-08-05
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

no other horticulture operation has
been so much written about, or has
been so eloquently advocated at the
meetings, as that of thinning of fruits,
by which we mean the removal OF a
portion of the crop that sets, that the
portion Of the crop that remains by
having double rations of plant food
may be larger and better; yet in spite
of all this expenditure Of ink and elo-
quence, how little is there 20 show for
it? Who thins fruit upon any large
scale? 1t can be shown by figures, that
the one way to make fruit growing pay
is to sell good fruit at large prices, and
that the one way to have good fruit, is
to throw away one half or two-thirds OF
it while it is still young. This may be
done before the flowers have bloomed,
by the operation of disbudding. This
rarely removes enough, and as soon as
the fruit has set large share is re-
moved. If it appears that too much
duced when it is half grown, and still
more, if need be, just as ripening is
about beginning. So with grapes, a
certain number of clusters which is ap.
portioned to the age and strength of the
vine. OF course precision like this is
not looked for in market culture, but an
approximation to it may be attempted,
but let nothing be carried beyond the
point of profit. If fruit grower be
desirious of testing the matter, let him
select two trees of the same kind, peach,
pear, apple, and also two grape vines of
each kind he proposes 10 grow, at the
same age, etc. Allow one of each kind
to go in the usual way, and with the
thirds of the fruit from the tree soon
after il has set fairly. If when half
grown, it appears that more thinning
will be profitable, do it, keeping an ac-
curate account of the cost of doing it.
With vines, left TO themselves, each
shoot usually bears three clusters, some
times more, they leaving two cluster
and also one, on each shoot, and also in
pinching the cane back to three, two or
one leaf beyond the bunch or punches.
1t is expected that the increased value
of the fruit, the price at which it is sold
will leave a handsome profit.
WATCH The INSECTS. in
sects demand attention throughout the
summer months. Look for the borers
near the base of young fruit trees; If
saw-dust is seen to drop from hole in
the bark, or if portion of the bark is
seen to be depressed, cut out the borer.
If the leaves of currants and gooseber-
ries are eaten by "the worm," apply
white hellebore at once. Stir n table
spoonful of the powder in pailful of
water, and apply with syringe. Re-
peat this after Il few days. If later
broods appear, continue the remedy,
which is very certain one. The
greenish slug, which appears upon the
leaves of cherry, pear, and other trees
may be destroyed by applying air-slaked
lime or wood ashes. This may be busted
upon the leaves by means of a bag of
coarse fabric, attached to pole. The
insects attacking the grape vine this
month, are mainly large caterpillars,
which are most readily picked by hand ;
the so called "thrips," which is properly
the grape vine leaf hopper" and not
related to the true thrips. 1t is little
whitish insect which often rises in
clouds when the vines are disturbed.
The best treatment is to go among the
vines with torches, gently beating them
TO disturb the insects, which will AT
once fly towards the light. The frs;
appearance of grayish spots OH the I'M
dersides of the vine indicates mildew,
and flower of sulphur should be ap-
piled with bellows made for the pur.
pose. Whenever pear trees are attacked
by blight, which comes without warn
ing, cut away every blighted portion
and burn it.
SPANISH CUsTARD.-The yelks of six